Farmers’ gut-wrenching tears of gratitude provide more thanks than words, Riverina brothers and hay runners say.
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Brothers Shane and Jason Bourke have been cranking the gears to join the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners for the second year.
The pair from Wagga and Leeton – respectively – will today join the convoy, delivering hope and feed to farmers who have fallen on hard times.
Following another straight year of drought, Queensland farmers can expect to receive a delivery of more than 5000 square and round bales of hay from more than 120 prime movers.
The Bourke brothers – and their support vehicle – will join the convoy at Darlington Point on February 23 and drive for five days to reach Muttaburra.
Shane Bourke’s partner Barbara Konstantakis said she could never describe the feeling of driving through drought-stricken towns with farmers crowding roadsides to wave flags in thanks.
“They drive up from the stations just to see the convoy,” Ms Konstantakis said.
“You see the tears in their eyes and it just pulls on your heartstrings.”
The grassroots movement will be in top gear as truckies from across the Riverina and beyond hit the tar for the third excursion to the affected region.
Ms Konstantakis described the convey as mates helping mates and ultimately, the Australian thing to do.
“Generations on generations of farmers up there are now having to ask if they should walk away from their farms,” she said.
“For them to cry in front of you because you’ve delivered 20 bales of hay … it’s ...”
Shane Bourke said the trek was somewhat of a family affair and he thanked the many sponsors who made the trip possible.
He said Hartwigs trucks had come to the party once again with the prime mover while Ron Crouch transport had provided the trailer and that just named two.
